Sport harness

ABSTRACT

A sport harness for use with a kite or other propulsive device having a quick release feature whereby the user may release himself or herself from the harness while being pulled by a kite. The quick release feature including an interconnection between a spreader bar and one part of a two part waist band closure whereby releasing one end of the spreader bar causes the closure to separate. A harness having vent openings. An overlay for impeding tangling of lines with a harness.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/873056,filed 3 Sep. 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of sport harnesses, moreparticularly, sport harnesses to connect a user to a propulsive device,for example a propulsive wing or sport traction kite (also referred toas a power kite).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A power kite or traction kite is a relatively large foil-type kiteintended to provide a pulling force to the user. Traction kites can beused to sail upwind under the same principles as used by other sailingcraft. Several kite sailing sports have become popular, such as kitebuggying, kite landboarding, kite boating, kite surfing and snow kiting.Traction kites used in water sports typically have inflatable leadingedges or supported leading edges, so that they do not sink or collapseon contact with the water.

In use, traction kites generally need to be continuously manipulated bythe user in order to control the flying trajectory of the kite togenerate the required traction, to handle wind gusts and to keep thekite from descending to the ground.

For smaller crafts, like buggies, surfboards and dinghies, a tractionkite can generally be controlled by hand. One common way of manipulatinga traction kite is by means of a 3-point control system, where onecentrally placed “power” line bears the main load of the kite, and twocontrol lines are manipulated to sheet in and sheet out the flexibleleft and right tips of the kite. In a common kite setup, the centrallyplaced line branches out towards the kite to multiple connection pointsat the leading edge of the kite. The other end of the centrally placedline attaches to a structural part of the craft, or, in the case ofsurf-style kiting where the rider stands on a wheeled or sliding board,the centrally placed, load bearing line attaches to a fixed point (e.g.,a spreader hook) on a harness worn by the rider, and the two controllines attach to the ends of a control bar located so as to bemanipulable by a rider wearing the harness. In this arrangement, theforce generated by the kite is applied to the harness worn by the rider.

The control bar used to steer and sheet the kite often features acentral hole through which the central load bearing line passes. Bymoving the control bar along the load bearing line in a direction awayfrom the fixed point on the rider's harness, the tips of the kite are“sheeted” out, spilling wind from the kite. By sliding the moving thebar towards the fixed point on the rider's harness, the tips of the kiteare sheeted in, causing the kite to spill less wind and thus to “powerup”. Pulling one end of the control bar more than the other end willcause the kite to sheet in on the side pulled in, and to sheet out onthe other side, causing the kite to tend to turn about the sheeted inside.

The range of movement of the control bar along the central load bearingline is limited by the assembly that attaches to the rider's harness,typically a loop of strong line covered in PU tubing that hooks onto aspreader bar/hook assembly mounted on the front of the rider's harness.This spreader bar/hook assembly is the primary power/force load pointbetween the rider and the kite. The rider's arms and hands are primarilyused to provide control turn input into the kite control bar so as toprovide turn and sheeting input to the kite, and generally are subjectedto only a relatively small portion of the pulling force imparted by thekite.

It is desirable for the harnesses worn by kite riders to be strong,comfortable and securely fitted, to enable proper control of the kite.Typically, such harnesses includes a generally flexible waist belt (orwaist band) secured about the rider and are configured such that agenerally rigid spreader bar/hook assembly may be attached to theharness at the rider's front.

For comfort (primarily in terms of spreading loads on the rider's body),harnesses typically have foam padding and reinforcing in the form ofstrong fabrics and webbing. Known harnesses have several differentfitting and tightening adjustment means. A common adjustment means for awaist belt is an overlapping wrap closure at the harness front, with theoverlapping ends of the waist belt secured one to the other with aconventional hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro™). Locating theoverlapping ends of the waist belt at the rider's front providesdesirable extra padding and chafe protection between the rider and thespreader bar/hook assembly.

In use, the spreader bar/hook assembly extends across the front of theharness and each end of the spreader bar/hook assembly is attached tothe harness in the vicinity of a respective hip of the rider, by anattachment means that generally permits some adjustment of the relativepositions of the spreader bar hook assembly and the harness, so as toaccommodate physical differences between riders and differences in theother components of the kite assembly. The spreader bar is typicallyabout 12″ long and is intended to provide a comfortable load angle forthe forces of the kite to be transferred to the hips of the rider.

The attachment means between the spreader bar/hook assembly and theharness may comprise webbing passing through an opening in the spreaderbar and suitable securing means (such as buckles) and/orpurpose-designed clips. In some harnesses, additional support for thespreader bar is provided by various support straps to secure andposition the spreader bar, however these straps tend to increase thetime required for a rider to put on and remove the harness.

The spreader hook is the point of connection between the harness and thepower line of the kite. The power line of the kite is hooked to thespreader bar via the “trim loop”. The spreader hook is made from arelatively strong material or materials, such as stainless steel or asuitable plastic. The actual hook used to connect with the trim looptypically protrudes out from the bar 2 to 3 inches and is in a C shape.

There are several methods to don a harness. Some riders loosen sidebuckles to release tension on the webbing, including webbing securingthe spreader bar to the harness, which allows the rider to slide theharness over their legs and up to their waist. Some spreader barsfeature clips or hook systems that enable the rider to disconnect thebar, however the webbing used to hold the harness secure must still beloosened before the latch or hook can be opened allowing the doff or donprocess.

It is common for a harness to include a grab handle, being a strongwebbing handle, typically located at the back of the harness, which canbe used by an assistant to help stabilize the rider while launching orlanding a kite. Kite boarding instructors also use grab handles tostabilize students during lessons.

Use of propulsive wings and traction kites involves a number risks.Pilot error as well as defects in material and design, can result inserious injuries and even death, as the forces produced by a kite can besignificant. Loss of control of a kite by a rider and an associatedinability of the rider to depower the kite, have resulted in veryserious injuries and fatalities, including as caused by failures in thecontrol bar and kite systems, lines tangling with the harness, partialimmersion of harnesses at speed resulting in the harness scooping water(referred to as bucketing), etc.

Efforts have been made in the kite board industry to improve the safetyof the kite control bars and kites, and to provide means to reduce thepower of the kite in an emergency. For example, responsive to the dangerof line tangles, many kite-specific harnesses come fitted with a safetyknife attached to the harness in an easy to reach location.

Further, many harnesses and kite assemblies include means for releasingthe power line from the spreader hook.

The configuration of the spreader hook is important to the properoperation of kite release systems, as most such systems rely on a meansfor opening the trim loop so as to enable it to slide through thespreader hook. However, there have been serious accidents and fatalitiesdue to the loops becoming jammed in the spreader hook when released,leaving the rider with no way to disengage from the power of the kite orto depower the kite. Alternate/backup configurations include spreaderbars with hinging or releasing hooks that free the trim loop from theharness without opening the trim loop.

As a released kite poses potential danger to others downwind, to avoidlosing a released kite, with such kite release means, it is standardpractice to use a separate safety leash attached between the kite and alocation on the harness separate from the spreader hook. With suchleashes, to minimize the pulling force of the kite on the rider, it isdesirable that a depowering action be activated at the kite when theleash is loaded by tension between the kite and the harness.

It is not uncommon for riders to attach the kite leash to the grabhandle. Some harnesses also feature a handle pass leash attachment linethat runs across the back of the harness. Kite safety leashes areattached to these back locations to allow ease of certain maneuvers suchas handle passes. However, when a released kite loads a kite leashattached to the back of a harness, it can spin the rider facingbackwards, making it difficult or impossible to reach a safety releasefor the leash. As well, the harness of a rider being dragged backwardsthrough the water by a leash, may bucket, that is, scoop water,resulting in greater drag resistance (and thus greater tension on theleash and less depowering effect on the kite) and possibly a tendency tosubmerge the rider. There have been injuries and fatalities related toriders being dragged by their kite leashes being unable to reach theirkite leash release.

In some cases, the kite leash may be attached to the side of a harnessor to the spreader bar (typically to a loop affixed to the spreaderbar). Although such attachment locations avoid some of the potentialproblems associated with attaching a leash at the back of a harness, attimes a kite and the associated lines can tangle during a release,making the desired depowering effect of the kite release systemineffective. Even a kite leash attached to the front of the harnesswithin easy reach of the rider can become tangled, making it impossiblefor the rider to release or depower the kite, resulting in a potentiallydangerous high-speed drag or lofting, and possibly undesirablebucketing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a kite boarding harnessthat allows the rider to completely separate themselves from theharness, and therefore all connections between the kite and harness witha single force motion of a release mechanism.

The release mechanism may be located at various locations on theharness, and may be configured to be activated by a push, pull, twist orother motion. For example, the release may be a sliding cuff, pushbutton, pull cord or other suitable configuration.

The release mechanism may be activated directly by the rider or remotelyby a second party via wireless.

The single point of entry to secure the harness and quick release motionof the harness release mechanism incidentally ease the donning andremoval of the harness under normal use,

The release mechanism may be located on the spreader bar or within thepadded body of the harness or incorporated into the webbing strapsleading to the spreader bar. The release may be located withinrelatively easy reach of the rider on the side of the spreader bar orharness. The harness may have more than one release locations.

In use, when the release mechanism is activated, the spreader bar swingsopen due the pulling force of the kite. A load transfer loop (or loopsor other similar fittings) is attached or connected between the harnesswaist belt and the spreader bar. When the load transfer loop comes underload from the pulling force of the kite it opens the conventional hookand loop fastener with which the waist belt is secured and/or releasesany other restraints that hold the harness to the rider. The spreaderbar may connected to any feature on the waist belt that may restrict itfrom coming away from the rider.

By activating this single release, the rider is freed from allattachments to the harness and its components. When released, theharness remains attached to kite via the trim loop or kite leash, orboth, or any other attachment device used between the harness andkite/control bar assembly or attachment point to the propulsive wingoutside the control bar.

The harness is preferably designed assume a flat configuration when notin use around a rider, so as to reduce resistance (e.g., as caused by“bucketing”) when the released harness is being dragged through thewater.

The harness includes one or more vents (preferably covered in open mesh)or holes in the back of the harness to assist in reducing the profileand drag create by the released harness when dragged through the water.The vents may also provide lighter weight, improved comfort andflexibility and breathability.

The vents may also reduce the drag experienced by the rider duringnormal use, for example when the top edge of the harness “grabs” waterduring high speed crashes (for example in crash situations in breakingsurf) or if the rider is pulled by the kite underwater. The vents allowwater to pass through the harness if the rider forced though the waterat high speed.

The harness may include an overlay of mesh or fabric, to enclose thecomponents of the harness so as to reduce the likelihood of a linebecoming tangled in the harness. Preferably, the overlay is configuredto permit access within the overlay to permit rider access to thecomponents of the harness. The overlay may include a zipper to permitsuch access. The overlay may be configured to provide an integratedstorage bag to carry a kite or other relevant equipment for theactivity.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a sport harness forencircling a user for connecting the user to a propulsive device via aspreader bar that in use extends across the user's front and has a firstharness attachment location at one end of the spreader bar, a secondharness attachment location at the other end of the spreader bar, and apropulsive device connection location between the first and secondharness attachment locations, the harness including: a waist band frontthat in use is positioned at the user's front; a waist band closure atthe waist band front, wherein a user may secure a first end of the waistband to a second end of the waist band, wherein when secured, the waistband closure resists longitudinal tension between the first and secondend, but permits lateral separating movement of one end of the waistband relative to the other end of the waist band; a first spreader barattachment means in the vicinity of a first side of the waist bandfront, for adjustably attaching the first harness attachment location tothe harness; and a second quick-release spreader bar attachment means inthe vicinity of a second side of the waist band front, for releasablyand adjustably attaching the second harness attachment location to theharness; an interconnection means for in use connecting the spreader barand one end of the waist band, the interconnection means configured topermit positional adjustment between the spreader bar and the harnessand to provide a lateral separating movement to the one end of the waistband when the second quick-release spreader bar attachment means isreleased wherein the spreader bar pivots about the first spreader barattachment means away from the waist band front; whereby, when a user iswearing the harness and it is attached to a propulsive device that isapplying a pulling force to the harness, the harness may be removed byreleasing the second quick-release spreader bar attachment means,thereby opening the waist band closure.

The waist band closure may include a hook and loop fastener and whensecured, the first end of the waist band overlies the second end of thewaist band.

The interconnection means may include a flexible material. The flexiblematerial may be webbing.

The propulsive device may be a kite and the propulsive device connectionmay be a hook.

The first harness attachment location may include an opening in thespreader bar and the first spreader bar attachment means may includewebbing attached at a proximal end to the harness and a webbing securingmeans attached to the harness, wherein the first harness attachmentlocation may be attached to the harness by passing a distal portion ofthe webbing through the opening in the spreader bar and securing thedistal portion of the webbing to the harness with the webbing securingmeans.

The second harness attachment location may be an opening in the spreaderbar; wherein: the second quick-release spreader bar attachment meansincludes: a flap configured for insertion through the opening, the flappivotal between: a closed position in which the flap overlies a portionof the spreader bar so as to impede movement of the second harnessattachment location away from the harness; and an open position in whichthe flap is oriented so as to permit movement of the second harnessattachment location away from the harness; a retainer movable between aretaining position in which the retainer retains the flap in the closedposition and a releasing position in which the retainer permits the flapto move from the closed position to the open position.

The retainer may be resiliently biased to remain in the retainingposition and may be manually movable to the releasing position. The flapmay be resiliently biased to move from the closed position to the openposition. The resilient biasing of the retainer and the resilientbiasing of the flap may be provided by an elastic cord connecting one tothe other.

The harness may have one or more vent openings. The vent openings may bespanned by mesh.

The sport harness may include an overlay to impede tangling of lineswith the harness. The overlay may be configured for use as a carry bag.The overlay may be mesh.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a sport harness forencircling a user for connecting the user to a kite for kite sailing viaa spreader bar that in use extends across the user's front and has afirst harness attachment location at one end of the spreader bar, asecond harness attachment location at the other end of the spreader bar,and a kite connection location between the first and second harnessattachment locations, the harness including: a waist band having a waistband front that in use is positioned at the user's front; a firstspreader bar attachment means in the vicinity of a first side of thewaist band front, for adjustably attaching the first harness attachmentlocation to the harness; a second spreader bar attachment means in thevicinity of a second side of the waist band front, for adjustablyattaching the second harness attachment location to the harness; and oneor more vent openings through the harness to permit the flow of watertherethrough.

The vent openings may be spanned by mesh. The sport harness may includean overlay to impede tangling of lines with the harness.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an overlay for usewith a sport harness for connecting a user to a foil kite, the overlayincluding: an overlay shell; and a closeable opening in the overlayshell, wherein: the overlay may be positioned on a harness so as toimpede tangling of lines with the harness and secured in this positionby closing the closeable opening; and the overlay may be used as acloseable kite bag.

The overlay shell may be mesh and the closeable opening may be azippered opening.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a rider on a board using a kite attachedto a safety harness embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rider on a board using a kite attachedto the safety harness embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the rider releasingthe kite.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rider on a board using a kite attachedto the safety harness embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the kite barreleased and the rider activating the harness release.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rider on a board and the safetyharness embodiment of FIG. 1, in which the rider has activated theharness release,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rider on a hoard using a kite attachedto a safety harness embodiment of the present invention, showing therider releasing the trim loop so as to transfer the force the kite tothe kite leash.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rider on a board using a kite attachedto the safety harness embodiment of FIG. 5, showing the trim loopreleased and the rider activating the harness release,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rider on a board and the safetyharness embodiment of FIG. 5, in which the rider has activated theharness release,

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a safety harness embodiment of thepresent invention

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the safety harness of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a safety harness embodiment of the presentinvention with a mesh/fabric overlay.

FIG. 11 is a perspective isolation view of an embodiment of the harnessrelease of the present invention, shown in the closed position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective isolation view of the embodiment of the harnessrelease of the present invention of FIG. 11, shown in the open/releasedposition.

FIG. 13 is a perspective isolation view of the embodiment of the harnessrelease of FIG. 12 showing the harness release tab being pulled in thedirection of the release force to free the end of the spreader bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, components of the preferred embodimentof the invention are shown. The harness 32 has a waist belt 36 thatoverlaps itself and is held together with a two-part loop and hookfastener 58 (e.g., Velcro™).

The spreader bar 30 has a spreader bar hook 40 and a spreader bar leashattachment 44. One end of the spreader bar 30 connects to the harness 32by spreader bar attachment webbings 42 that are fed through the webbingadjustment buckles 52 that are attached to the harness 32.

The opposite end of the spreader bar 30 is attached to the harness 32 bya release mechanism 50 that connects to the harness 32 by spreader barattachment webbings 42 that are fed through the webbing adjustmentbuckles 52 that are attached to the harness 32.

Referring to FIG. 12, the components of the release mechanism 50 areshown. On the side of the harness 32 that has the release mechanism 50,the two pieces of spreader bar attachment webbing 42 are connected to awebbing retainer 64. Sewn inside the webbing retainer 64 is a retainerplate 68 made from stainless steel material, or other non--deformablematerial (e.g., fiberglass, plastics) and a compression plate 66 madefrom stainless steel material, or other non- deformable material (e.g.,fiberglass, plastics).

The section of the webbing retainer 64 that has the compression plate 66is folded over the opening at the end of the spreader bar 30 and restsagainst the section of the webbing retainer 64 that has the retainerplate 68 inside. A U-shaped slider 60, made from stainless steel orsimilar, holds the compression plate 66 and the retainer plate 68together, locking the end of the spreader bar 30 in place. The slider 60is attached to the harness release tab 34 and two elastic cords 62(e.g., shock cords) are attached at one end to the harness release tab,extend around the folded webbing retainer 64 and are affixed at theother end to the outer edge of the webbing retainer 64, past thecompression plate 66. The tension provided by the elastic cord 62assists in maintaining the slider 60 in the locked position.

The release mechanism 50 is fitted with a harness release tab 34.Referring to FIG. 13, when the harness release tab 34 is pulled by therider 10 in the direction of the release force 70, the elastic cord 62is stretched and the end of the webbing retainer 64 that has thecompression plate 68 inside folds open, away from the retainer plate 68,freeing the end of the spreader bar 30.

A load transfer loop 38 connects the releasable end of the spreader bar30 to the outside end of the loop and hook fastener 58 overlap of thewaist belt 36. As the end of the spreader bar 30 is released, the loadon the spreader bar 30 is transferred to the load transfer loop 38. Asis shown in FIG. 9, when in use there is a force 48 from the kite thatpulls on the spreader bar 30 such that when the release mechanism 50 isactivated by pulling the harness release tab 34, the released end of thespreader bar rotates away from the harness 32, which in turn pulls theload transfer loop 38, that connects the released end of the spreaderbar 30 to the waist belt 36. The pull from the load transfer loop 38peels the overlapping loop and hook fastener 58 section of the waistbelt 36 open thus freeing the rider 10 completely of the harness 32 andthus frees the rider 10 completely from the propulsive force of the kite14.

The harness 32 has mesh vents 46 that allow water to pass through theharness so that when the harness has been released and is being pulledby the kite 14, the harness will have reduced drag or resistance whichwill help to prevent the kite 14 from relaunching. As well, the vents 46reduce the undesirable bucketing effect should the rider 10 be draggedin the water by the kite or when the harness 32 is partially immersedwhen the rider 10 is sailing in relatively extreme conditions.

Referring to FIG. 10, a mesh fabric overlay 54 covers the sides and backof the harness 32 to cover locations where lines 16, 20 could tanglewith the harness 32. The mesh fabric overlay 54 is fitted with a zipper56 to permit access under the mesh fabric overlay 54.

Referring to FIG. 1, a rider 10, stands on a board 12, and flies a kite14. The propulsive force of the kite 14 is transferred to the rider 10via bridles 18 that attach to the leading edge of the kite 14, and thenattach to front lines 16 that connect to the trim line 22 (at timesreferred to herein as a power line), the trim line 22 passes through thekite bar 24 and terminates at a trim loop 26. The trim loop 26 isattached to the spreader bar 30, which is part of a harness 32 worn bythe rider 10.

Rear lines 20 attach to the kite 14 at the wingtips and to the outerends of the kite bar 24. Moving the kite bar 24 towards the rider 10increases the angle of attack of the kite 14 thus increasing thepropulsive force, while moving the kite bar 24 away from the riderlowers the angle of attack of the kite 14 thus reducing the propulsiveforce. Pulling on one side of the kite bar 24 causes the kite 14 to turnin that direction.

A kite leash 28 is connected to the trim loop 26 and then to thespreader bar 30. The kite leash 28 keeps the kite connected to the rider10 when the trim loop 26 is no longer connected to the spreader bar 30.

There is a harness release tab 34, mounted on the harness 32, which whenpulled releases the harness 32 completely from the rider 10.

In most instances, the assembly shown in the drawings and describedherein would include a means (not shown) for releasing the trim loop 26from the spreader bar hook 40.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the steps involved when a rider 10 desiresto release himself from the propulsive force of the kite 14, and therider is unable to release the trim loop 26 from the spreader bar hook40.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rider 10 has released the rider's hold on thekite bar 24. This allows the kite bar 24 to move towards the kite 14,decreasing, but not eliminating the propulsive force of the kite.

Referring to FIG. 3, the rider 10 is pulling the harness release tab 34.

Referring to Fig, 4, the rider 10 has pulled the harness release tab 34which releases one end of the spreader bar 30. The propulsive force ofthe kite 14, pulling on the spreader bar 30 via the trim loop 26, causesthe released end of the spreader bar 30 to rotate away from the harness30, which in turn pulls the load transfer loop 38, that connects thereleased end of the spreader bar 30 to the waist belt 36. The waist belt36 wraps around the rider's 10 waist and has an overlapping Loop andhook fastener 58 section that holds it in place. The pull from the loadtransfer loop 38 peels the overlapping Loop and hook fastener 58 sectionof the waist belt 36 open thus freeing the rider 10 completely of theharness 32 and thus frees the rider 10 completely from the propulsiveforce of the kite 14.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the steps involved when a rider 10 has torelease himself from the propulsive force of the kite 14 after they haveactivated the release on their trim loop 26 but are still connected tothe kite 14 by the kite leash 28.

Referring to FIG. 5, the rider 10 has released the kite bar 24 with bothhands and has activated the release on the trim loop 26 so the kite 14is only attached to the harness 32 by the kite leash 28.

Referring to FIG. 6, the rider 10 is pulling the harness release tab 34.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rider 10 has pulled the harness release tab 34which releases one end of the spreader bar 30. The propulsive force ofthe kite 14, pulling on kite leash 28 causes the released end of thespreader bar 30 to rotate away from the harness 32, which in turn pullsthe load transfer loop 38, that connects the released end of thespreader bar 30 to the waist belt 36. The waist belt 36 wraps around therider's 10 waist and has an overlapping Loop and hook fastener 58section that holds it in place. The pull from the load transfer loop 38peels the overlapping Loop and hook fastener 58 section of the waistbelt 36 open thus freeing the rider 10 completely of the harness 32 andthus frees the rider 10 completely from the propulsive force of the kite14.

The following terms and reference numbers are used herein and in thedrawings: rider 10, board 12, kite 14, front lines 16, bridle 18, rearlines 20, trim line 22, kite bar 24, trim loop 26, kite leash 28,spreader bar 30, harness 32, harness release tab 34, waist belt 36, loadtransfer loop 38, spreader bar hook 40, spreader bar attachment webbing42, spreader bar leash attachment 44, mesh ports 46, direction of forcefrom kite 48, release mechanism 50, webbing adjustment buckle 52, meshfabric overlay 54, zipper 56, loop and hook fastener 58, slider 60,shock cord 62, webbing retainer 64, compression plate 66, retainer plate68, and release force 70.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sport harness for encircling a user forconnecting the user to a propulsive device via a spreader bar that inuse extends across the user's front and has a first harness attachmentlocation at one end of the spreader bar, a second harness attachmentlocation at the other end of the spreader bar, and a propulsive deviceconnection location between the first and second harness attachmentlocations, the harness comprising: a waist band front that in use ispositioned at the user's front; a waist band closure at the waist bandfront, wherein a user may secure a first end of the waist band to asecond end of the waist band, wherein when secured, the waist bandclosure resists longitudinal tension between the first and second end,but permits lateral separating movement of one end of the waist bandrelative to the other end of the waist band; a first spreader barattachment means in the vicinity of a first side of the waist bandfront, for adjustably attaching the first harness attachment location tothe harness; and a second quick-release spreader bar attachment means inthe vicinity of a second side of the waist band front, for releasablyand adjustably attaching the second harness attachment location to theharness; an interconnection means for in use connecting the spreader barand one end of the waist band, the interconnection means configured topermit positional adjustment between the spreader bar and the harnessand to provide a lateral separating movement to the one end of the waistband when the second quick-release spreader bar attachment means isreleased wherein the spreader bar pivots about the first spreader barattachment means away from the waist band front; whereby, when a user iswearing the harness and it is attached to a propulsive device that isapplying a pulling force to the harness, the harness may be removed byreleasing the second quick-release spreader bar attachment means,thereby opening the waist band closure.
 2. The sport harness of claim 1,wherein the waist band closure comprises a hook and loop fastener andwhen secured, the first end of the waist band overlies the second end ofthe waist band.
 3. The sport harness of claim 1, wherein theinterconnection means comprises a flexible material.
 4. The sportharness of claim 3, wherein the flexible material is webbing.
 5. Thesport harness of claim 1, wherein the propulsive device is a kite andthe propulsive device connection is a hook.
 6. The sport harness ofclaim 1, wherein the first harness attachment location comprises anopening in the spreader bar and the first spreader bar attachment meanscomprises webbing attached at a proximal end to the harness and awebbing securing means attached to the harness, wherein the firstharness attachment location is attached to the harness by passing adistal portion of the webbing through the opening in the spreader barand securing the distal portion of the webbing to the harness with thewebbing securing means.
 7. The sport harness of claim 1, wherein thesecond harness attachment location comprises an opening in the spreaderbar; wherein: the second quick-release spreader bar attachment meanscomprises: a flap configured for insertion through the opening, the flappivotal between: a closed position in which the flap overlies a portionof the spreader bar so as to impede movement of the second harnessattachment location away from the harness; and an open position in whichthe flap is oriented so as to permit movement of the second harnessattachment location away from the harness; a retainer movable between aretaining position in which the retainer retains the flap in the closedposition and a releasing position in which the retainer permits the flapto move from the closed position to the open position.
 8. The sportharness of claim 7, wherein the retainer is resiliently biased to remainin the retaining position and is manually movable to the releasingposition.
 9. The sport harness of claim 8, wherein the flap isresiliently biased to move from the closed position to the openposition.
 10. The sport harness of claim 10, wherein the resilientbiasing of the retainer and the resilient biasing of the flap isprovided by an elastic cord connecting one to the other.
 11. The sportharness of claim 1, wherein the harness has one or more vent openings.12. The sport harness of claim 11, wherein the vent openings are spannedby mesh.
 13. The sport harness of claim 1, further comprising an overlayto impede tangling of lines with the harness.
 14. The sport harness ofclaim 13, wherein the overlay is configured for use as a carry bag. 15.The sport harness of claim 13, wherein the overlay is mesh.
 16. A sportharness for encircling a user for connecting the user to a kite for kitesailing via a spreader bar that in use extends across the user's frontand has a first harness attachment location at one end of the spreaderbar, a second harness attachment location at the other end of thespreader bar, and a kite connection location between the first andsecond harness attachment locations, the harness comprising: a waistband having a waist band front that in use is positioned at the user'sfront; a first spreader bar attachment means in the vicinity of a firstside of the waist band front, for adjustably attaching the first harnessattachment location to the harness; a second spreader bar attachmentmeans in the vicinity of a second side of the waist band front, foradjustably attaching the second harness attachment location to theharness; and one or more vent openings through the harness to permit theflow of water therethrough.
 17. The sport harness of claim 16, whereinthe vent openings are spanned by mesh.
 18. The sport harness of claim16, further comprising an overlay to impede tangling of lines with theharness.
 19. An overlay for use with a sport harness for connecting auser to a foil kite, the overlay comprising: an overlay shell; and acloseable opening in the overlay shell, wherein: the overlay may bepositioned on a harness so as to impede tangling of lines with theharness and secured in this position by closing the closeable opening;and the overlay may be used as a closeable kite bag.
 20. The overlay ofclaim 19, wherein the overlay shell is mesh and the closeable opening isa zippered opening.